Take a ride through the rolling farmlands and sleepy hamlets of West Tennessee as we follow a 29-mile stretch of U.S. Route 70 from Jackson to Huntingdon. This eastbound journey on one of the state’s oldest and most storied highways gives us a relaxed tour of Carroll County and beyond—connecting modern interstates with timeless small-town character.
Our journey begins on the eastern edge of Jackson, Tennessee, where U.S. 70 peels away from Interstate 40. While I-40 handles most of the fast traffic these days, US-70 continues as it always has: weaving through communities rather than bypassing them. From the outset, we’re on what was once known as State Route 1, Tennessee’s first state highway and a foundational piece of the state’s road network. As we exit Jackson, we’re surrounded by a blend of low-rise commercial development and suburban homes before the road quickly transitions to a more rural atmosphere.
Soon, we glide through the unincorporated community of Spring Creek, a place that feels paused in time. With only a few homes, a post office, and a scattering of churches and local businesses, it’s easy to imagine how this community might have looked a generation ago. Highway 70 here is wide and smooth, with long, straight stretches bracketed by green fields and the occasional farm stand or tractor crossing. These pastoral scenes are punctuated by gentle bends in the road, as the terrain shifts from flatlands to subtle hills, a hallmark of this part of Tennessee.
Further along, we pass into Cedar Grove, another small dot on the map where the highway’s original role as a lifeline for rural communities is still apparent. There’s a quiet dignity here, with aging storefronts and classic homes fronting the route, shaded by tall oaks and maples. It’s around Cedar Grove that the route makes a more northeasterly turn, bending gently toward our final destination. With the sun climbing overhead and the shadows retreating, we ride past cotton fields, grazing cattle, and stretches of untouched woodland that add rhythm and texture to the drive.
As we approach Huntingdon, the county seat of Carroll County, the road starts to feel busier—not with traffic, but with signs of community life. Ballfields, schools, and churches line the approach, and we soon arrive at the intersection with U.S. 70A on the town’s southwestern edge. This is where our video ends, though the highway continues east toward Camden and beyond. Huntingdon itself is a vibrant little town with a courthouse square, a performing arts center, and a deep appreciation for its history—an appropriate punctuation mark for a route that has carried travelers, goods, and stories across Tennessee for over a century.
Whether you’re using this road as a scenic alternative to the interstate or simply enjoying the sense of place that only older highways can provide, U.S. 70 between Jackson and Huntingdon offers a peaceful and purposeful drive through a slice of Tennessee that’s often overlooked. There’s something grounding in the way the road unrolls before you here—predictable in direction, but always changing in detail.
🗺️ Route Map
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